Chris_Baker Posted 10 December , 2002 Share Posted 10 December , 2002 The diary of the 25th Divisional Pioneer battalion, the 6th South Wales Borderers, refers to them moving into the catacombs at Hyde Park Corner in April 1918. I have not heard of these before; can anyone shed any light on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 10 December , 2002 Share Posted 10 December , 2002 Chris - The Catacombs were constructed by the 1st Australian Tunneling Company at Hill 63 over a three month period (in 1917 I think) at Hill 63 near to Plugstreet Wood. It's official name was Hill 63 Dugouts but the Aussies called in Wallangara, everyone else seemed to call them the Catacombs. If you look in Tony Spagnoly and Ted Smith's book 73A Walk Around Plugstreet there is a description on page 73. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 10 December , 2002 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2002 You're gentleman. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hill 60 Posted 11 December , 2002 Share Posted 11 December , 2002 Chris - If you go to the Ypres Salient at some point you can still see an enterance to the Catacombs. I'm not up on the exact location and I'm sure Jacky'll be able to direct you better than I. It is roughly as follows: Stand facing the Ploegseert Memorial, turn right and walk along the road. Take the first road on the left and head down towards Red Lodge. The enterance to the Catacombs are on your right handside up a bankside in the undergrowth. Hope this is of furthur help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 23 March , 2010 Share Posted 23 March , 2010 More info about the catacombs here. Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootdown1 Posted 14 April , 2010 Share Posted 14 April , 2010 The diary of the 25th Divisional Pioneer battalion, the 6th South Wales Borderers, refers to them moving into the catacombs at Hyde Park Corner in April 1918. I have not heard of these before; can anyone shed any light on this? Chris,Do you have the 6th South Wales Borderers war diary entries for the 9th,10th and 11th April 1918? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIFFO Posted 14 April , 2010 Share Posted 14 April , 2010 Chris - If you go to the Ypres Salient at some point you can still see an enterance to the Catacombs. I'm not up on the exact location and I'm sure Jacky'll be able to direct you better than I. It is roughly as follows: Stand facing the Ploegseert Memorial, turn right and walk along the road. Take the first road on the left and head down towards Red Lodge. The enterance to the Catacombs are on your right handside up a bankside in the undergrowth. Hope this is of furthur help! Your directions are spot on as you head for red lodge on your right theres a path leading up to the top of hill 63 before you get to the top walk back along the side of the slope toward the road you are on top of the main entrance to the catacombs,im not saying its not there BUT she who must be obeyed and myself spent half an hour and we couldnt see anything. biff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardinal Biggles Posted 27 May , 2010 Share Posted 27 May , 2010 If the entrance is still visible, how does one recognize it? Surely the tunnels must be caved in or flooded or otherwise inaccessible by now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 27 May , 2010 Author Share Posted 27 May , 2010 Chris,Do you have the 6th South Wales Borderers war diary entries for the 9th,10th and 11th April 1918? Oddly enough, I don't. I vaguely recall getting a photocopy and sending it to someone. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 20 October , 2010 Share Posted 20 October , 2010 The local authority has placed many helpful information boards around the Ploegsteert Area including one near to the old entrance to the Catacombs. A photo of the notice board and a close up are enclosed. Bernard Detail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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